Play level gaming system

ABSTRACT

A gaming system and method is disclosed that comprises a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a server. The server is configured to measure play level and adjust payback percentage based on the play level. The play level may comprise one of several gaming factors related to the number of players, wagering, the number of games played, and others. A portion of each wager made during low play level may be contributed to a pool to be distributed during a period of high play level. A method of providing a wagering game wherein payback percentage is adjusted according to play level is also provided. An advantage provided is increased enjoyment of the gaming experience of players due to enhanced expectation of receiving additional awards when play level is high.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/888,643, filed Feb. 7, 2007, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to gaming methods and systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gaming method and system that is capable of measuring play level and adjusting payback percentage based on play level.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to gaming technology and specifically to systems of networked gaming devices.

BACKGROUND

There exists a continuous need in the art for gaming devices that proactively entice players to play and wager more and more. In one such method, a plurality of gaming devices can be interlinked to form a gaming pool that allows the networked gaming pool to offer a jackpot to a lucky bettor, who bets on a pre-determined winning pattern of symbols or numbers. The networked gaming pool therefore enables a large payback percentage to the bettor on hitting the jackpot, which was hitherto not possible on a single gaming device.

Payback percentages can have a large impact on the success of a gaming device. Players, of course, prefer high payback percentages because they perceive that they are winning more money. The gaming devices are usually programmed to pay out a certain percentage varying typically between 82% and 98% of the bet value placed by a gamer. The payback percentage for a particular gaming device is usually pre-determined based on the software installed in the gaming device and the random number generator programming of the gaming device.

On a typical video poker machine, paybacks start with a minimum hand of a pair of jacks. Pay tables allocate the payback for hands based partially upon how rare they are, and also based upon the total theoretical return the game operator chooses to offer. Some machines offer progressive jackpots for card hands such as the royal flush, (and sometimes for other rare hands as well), thereby spurring players to both play more coins and to play more frequently. Other kinds of video poker only have positive theoretical returns when the progressive jackpot is high enough. Many establishments advertise with a billboard when the progressive jackpot is high enough.

In a server based gaming system, generally one or more gaming devices can be linked to a central server by a communication network. The central server can be configured to store a plurality of different games. Gaming devices on the system are capable of downloading the games from the server and allowing a player to play the games.

The progressive jackpot systems referenced above may be effective in enticing some additional gaming and wagering. However, because the progressive jackpots are typically only awarded to one player or a select few players, some would-be players may be turned off by the perception of a low probability of winning the progressive jackpot. Also, players may become frustrated after playing numerous games in hope of winning the progressive jackpot to no avail.

Therefore, there is a current need to provide a networked gaming system capable of distributing bonuses, or other types of additional awards to many different players. This would increase excitement and enjoyment experienced by players because players would perceive that they are more likely to receive some of the additional funds.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

The ability to enhance the gaming experience of players. by

The ability to measure play level.

The ability to measure play level in a variety of different ways.

The ability to increase payback percentage when the play level increases.

The ability to elevate gaming experience by providing an expectation of greater awards when the play level is increased.

A further advantage is the ability increase players enjoyment of the gaming experience as more players play on the system, as more players play a particular game on the system, or as more players play a particular type of gaming machine on the system.

Still another advantage is the ability to enhance the excitement of the gaming experience as more wagers are made on the system, as more wagers are made on a particular game on the system, or as more wagers are made on a particular type of gaming machine on the system.

Another advantage is to provide an incentive for players to continue playing.

Still another advantage is to provide the operator of the system with the ability to maximize profits.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

Brief Description of One Embodiment of the Present Invention

In one embodiment, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of gaming devices and a server. Each gaming device is configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game as well as determine an outcome of the game. The server may be in communication with each of the plurality of gaming devices, and the server is configured to: measure a play level on the plurality of gaming devices; cause the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices is below a predetermined level; and cause the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage, if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices exceeds the predetermined level.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of providing a wagering game comprising necessarily, not necessarily in this order, measuring a play level on a plurality of gaming devices, and providing a payback percentage. If the play level is below a predetermined level, the gaming devices are caused to provide a first payback percentage; if the play level is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, the gaming devices are caused to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of one embodiment of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a block diagram showing an overview of a networked gaming system of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is substantially a block diagram showing flow of funds during low play level when a first payback percentage is provided according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is substantially a block diagram showing flow of funds during high play level when a second payback percentage is provided according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is substantially a block diagram showing the overall operation of the system aspect of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is substantially a flowchart showing the overall operation of the method aspect of one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention comprises a gaming system, generally indicated by reference number 10. The present invention comprises a network gaming system with a server 11 and a plurality of gaming devices 12 in communication with the server 11. The gaming devices 12 a-z may be located in one casino or they may be located in more than one casino linked to the same server 11. FIG. 1 illustrates the networked interaction between the server 11, and the plurality of gaming devices 12. The communication link 14 that couples the gaming devices 12 to the server 11 may comprise one or more Ethernet cables, one or more coaxial cables, one or more telephonic cables, or a wireless communication system. Both the number of gaming devices 12 linked to the server 11 and the type of gaming devices 12 linked to the server 11 may vary widely. Gaming devices that may be used include, but are not limited to, slot machines, video poker machines, and video blackjack machines. The system may include gaming devices 12 located in a single casino or other facility or in multiple locations. Each of the gaming devices 12 is configured to operate a game program that allows one or more players to place wagers and play games. The server 11 may store game programs and information, which can be downloaded to the gaming devices 12 and gaming devices 12 may transmit information to the server 11. A gaming device may offer a plurality of different games. When a player selects one of the games, the selected game may be downloaded from the server 11 along with game related information, such as payback percentage. The payback percentage is the average expected return for the player. The payback percentage takes into account both the odds of winning a game and the amounts paid out for each win.

The system of the present invention is further configured to determine play level. Play level is a flexible concept which may comprise any one of a number of gaming factors. The system may be configured to adjust which gaming factor or what type of combination of gaming factors comprises play level. Such gaming factors include, but are not limited to, the following list of factors:

-   -   a. the number of players playing on the system,     -   b. the number of players playing a particular game on the         system,     -   c. the number of players playing a particular type of gaming         machine on the system,     -   d. the total number of wagers on the system during a period of         time,     -   e. the average wager on the system during a period of time,     -   f. the average wager on a particular game during a period of         time,     -   g. the total number of games played on the system during a         period of time,     -   h. the number of times a particular game has been played during         a period of time, or     -   i. the number of games played on a particular type of gaming         machine during a period of time.

For instance, play level may be configured to comprise the number of players playing a particular game on the system with play level configured to increase at the predetermined level of 15. In a Double-Diamond slot machine game, the pay out during low play level may be twenty (20) credits when the player gets two diamonds. Once 15 or more players are playing Double Diamond on the system, the play level has increased. At this point, the server sends a message each gaming device with the Double Diamond program running which causes the second higher payback percentage to be awarded. To accomplish the higher payback percentage, certain awards may be increased and/or the probability of a player winning may be increased. In this example, the a player receiving two diamonds on a particular game will be awarded forty (40) credits instead of only twenty (20) credits. The concept in this particular example is that as more players play a particular game, it increases the chances of all players earning a better payback percentage. This is analogous to a scenario in which one has a better chance of getting heads on the flip of a coin if fifteen of his friends are flipping a coin along with him.

As discussed, play level may comprise the number of players playing a particular type of gaming machine on the system. This could be for instance the number of players playing all video poker machines on the system or the number of players playing slot machines on the system.

Play level may comprise a combination of the different types of gaming factors listed earlier. The play level may comprise the sum, difference, factor, quotient or other mathematical combination of two or more gaming factors. For instance, if the play level may be set to be the number of players on the system times the average amount wagered during a period of time. A higher payback percentage would then be provided when the number of players playing times the average wager during a given period exceeded a predetermined level. Such a configuration would reward both larger numbers of players playing and larger wagers.

The flexibility of the play level provide the operator of the system with the ability to maximize profits by selecting the type of play level most suitable to the operator's particular gaming market. The server 11 may also be configured to allow the operator to change the gaming factor or combination of gaming factors used as a metric for play level to further tailor the system to the operator's market.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the system of the present invention is further configured to adjust payback percentage based upon play level. The server 11 is configured to measure play level according to the play level information it receives from the gaming devices 12. Initially, the server 11 causes the gaming devices 12 to provide a first payback percentage. When the server 11 detects that play has reached a predetermined level, it causes the gaming devices 12 to enter a higher play mode in which the gaming devices 12 provide a second payback percentage. The second payback percentage is higher than the first payback percentage. The payback percentage may be increased by increasing the probability of a player winning a game, increasing the award provided to a winning player, or a combination thereof. This may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, there may be two or more potential pay tables; the first pay table is used to provide the first payback percentage used during standard play level and the second pay table is used to provide the higher second payback percentage for the higher play levels.

Pay tables may comprise a plurality of number ranges and outcomes associated with each number range. Outcomes may include a plurality of winning outcomes that award a prize to players and loosing outcomes that do not award a prize. During normal operation, a random or pseudo random number is generated by a random number generator. The outcome of the game is then determined by comparing the random number to the number ranges. The gaming device then displays an outcome that communicates the outcome to the player, and, if appropriate, awards a prize to the player.

A simplified example pay table is provided below:

TABLE 1 Number Range Prize Display 0.0 to 0.1 $10 A A A 0.11 to 0.15 $25 B B B 0.16 to 1.0  $0 C C C

With reference to Table 1 above, if a random number generator provides a number of 0.12, then the gaming device would award the player a $25 prize and communicate the outcome by displaying the symbols “B B B”. Each pay table has a payback percentage. This is a theoretical portion of each unit that is wagered on the gaming device that is returned to players. For example, if a pay table has a payback percentage of 95%, then over time it should return 95% of all wagers to players. Payback percentages can be adjusted in any particular pay table by adjusting the number ranges, the prizes or the amounts to be wagered.

When the predetermined play level is reached, the server 11 may transmit a signal to each of the gaming devices 12 to use the second pay table. The second pay table may have larger prizes or it may have a higher win frequency. Alternatively, the same pay table may be used but a fixed bonus amount may be added to each prize that a player wins. Given the concept outlined here, one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to recognize numerous variations on how the payback percentage may be adjusted based on play level. When a gaming device enters a higher play mode, players may be informed of this to further encourage them to play longer.

The higher play level of the present invention may be associated with a particular game. In other words, the play of a particular type of game must achieve a particular level in order for the system to provide a higher payback percentage. For instance, if play level for a particular game achieves a certain level of play, the server 11 will cause the gaming devices 12 playing Game X to go into the higher play mode. Alternatively, the higher play level maybe associated with a particular type of gaming device on the system, e.g., a Slotto gaming device.

To illustrate one example, play level may comprise the number of players playing on the system. This may be measured in a number of different ways know to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one example design, when a player is actively playing on a gaming device, the gaming device may transmit a signal to the server 11; the signal indicates that the gaming device is being played. The server 11 is configured to receive and record these signals from each of the gaming devices 12.

Alternatively, play level may be dollars wagered on all of the gaming devices 12 during a period of time. Each gaming device may transmit a signal to the server 11 each time a wager is placed and the server 11 may calculate the system wide level of play. Alternatively, the gaming devices 12 may transmit a signal at regular intervals that indicates the dollars wagered during a given interval.

A portion of each wager placed on the system may be placed into a pool 13. This is similar to the contributions in a progressive gaming system and it may occur at all levels of play or only during standard or low levels of play. The value of the pool 13 may be displayed to players. When the system enters the high play level mode described above, funds are removed from the pool 13 and used to fund the higher payback percentage. When the pool 13 is reduced to a specific level, the high play level mode may be terminated. The system may be configured so that it does not go back into the high play level until the pool 13 is replenished to a predetermined level. This may be accomplished by further configuring the server 11 to calculate a contribution, the contribution being be based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming devices 12 played below a predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices 12 played above the first predetermined level.

FIG. 2 shows the flow of funds through the system during a period of low play level. The double arrows between the gaming devices 12 a-z and the server 11 illustrate the fact that electronically stored funds are being transferred back and forth between these components via wagers and payouts. The smaller arrow to the pool 13 indicates that some a portion of the wagers received during this period where a lower payback percentage is in force are contributed to the pool. FIG. 3 shows the flow of funds during a period of higher play level. Here, funds are flowing out of the pool 13 in order to fund the higher payback percentage. The payback percentage in during high play level may be equal to or greater than 100%.

As illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 5, this embodiment of the present invention further comprises a method of providing a wagering game comprising the following steps not all necessarily in the order shown: allowing at least one player to place a wager and play a game; measuring a play level on a plurality of gaming devices; if the play level is below a predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage; if the play level is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage. The method may further comprise calculating a contribution, the contribution being based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming device played below the predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above the predetermined level. Optionally, the method may further comprise applying the contribution to a pool, wherein the second payback percentage is funded by the pool. In addition, the method may optionally include causing the gaming devices to return to providing the first payback percentage if the amount of money in the pool decreases below a predetermined amount.

The present invention provides numerous advantages over existing related technology, although not each advantage is necessarily present in each embodiment. One advantage is that this invention distributes funds to more players. Unlike a progressive jackpot, which is usually only given to one player, one or more embodiments of the present invention may distribute the funds to many different players. This increases excitement and enjoyment experienced by players because players perceive that they are more likely to receive additional awards. Another advantage the additional incentive for players to continue playing because a portion of each player's wagers may be accumulated in a pool while the system is in a lower play level and to use that pool to fund additional awards during periods of higher play level. Plus, the operator of the system may increase profits by selecting the type of play level most suitable to the operator's particular gaming market.

Unlike the method in which progressives are funded, in which one person, or a select few people may hit the jackpot, the system and method of the present invention combines added value on all participating slot machines so that all patrons benefit from the game. This increases excitement in the game play, creates an incentive for patrons to continue playing since a percentage of the amount they are wagering, along with a percentage of the amount every other player wagering on the same type of slot machine, will be awarded back to them in the form of an increased payback percentage.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given. 

1. A gaming system, comprising: (A) a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being configured to: (a) allow a player to place a wager and play a game; and (b) determine an outcome of the game; and (B) at least one server in communication with each of the plurality of gaming devices, the server being configured to: (a) measure a play level on the plurality of gaming devices; (b) cause the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices is below a first predetermined level; and (c) cause the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage, if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices exceeds the predetermined level;
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to calculate a contribution, the contribution being be based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming devices played below the first predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above the first predetermined level.
 3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the server is further configured to apply the contribution to a pool, and the second payback percentage is funded by the pool.
 4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein if the second payback percentage is being provided and the amount of money in the pool decreases below a first predetermined amount, the server causes the gaming devices to provide the first payback percentage.
 5. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the server causes the gaming devices to provide the second payback percentage only if the amount of money in the pool exceeds a second predetermined amount.
 6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gaming machines are further configured to allow the player to select a first game from a plurality of different games.
 7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of players playing the game on the system, a number of players playing on the system, and a number of players playing a type of gaming machine on the system.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play level comprises the total amount of money wagered on the system during a period of time.
 9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play level comprises the average amount of money wagered per game on the system during a period of time.
 10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of times the game has been played on the system during a period of time, a number of games played on the system during a period of time, and a number of games played on a type of gaming machine during a period of time.
 11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of wagers on the system during a period of time, a number of wagers on the game during a period of time, and a number of wagers on a type of gaming machine during a period of time.
 12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the second payback percentage is equal to or greater than 100 percent.
 13. A method of providing a wagering game, not all necessarily in the order shown: (A) allowing at least one player to place a wager and play a game; (B) measuring a play level on a plurality of gaming devices; (C) if the play level is below a predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage; (D) if the play level is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising calculating a contribution, the contribution being based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming device played below the predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above the predetermined level.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising applying the contribution to a pool, wherein the second payback percentage is funded by the pool.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising causing the gaming devices to return to providing the first payback percentage if the amount of money in the pool decreases below a predetermined amount.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the play level comprises the number of players playing the game.
 18. A gaming system, comprising: (A) gaming device means for allowing a plurality of different players to place wagers and play a game (B) means for measuring play level on the plurality of gaming device means; (C) means for causing the gaming device means to provide a first payback percentage if the play level is below a predetermined level; (D) means for causing the gaming device means to provide a second payback percentage if the play level is above a predetermined level the second payback percentage being greater than the first payback percentage.
 19. The gaming system of claim 18, further comprising means for calculating a contribution, the contribution being be based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming device played below the predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above first predetermined level.
 20. The gaming system of claim 19, further comprising means for applying the contribution to a pooling means, wherein the pooling means is used to fund the second payback percentage.
 21. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the play level comprises the number of players playing the game. 